| |
|
P47 Pilots Biographies, Last Name Starting With "L"
|
|
|
Pilot Name
|
Biography Summary
|
|
John M. Lepry
|
He took part in the destruction of bridges,
railroads, trains, trucks, ammunition dumps,
and anything that moved on the highway. He
also flew many close support missions. In
January, 1945, the 86th Fighter Group
moved to France where the same kinds of
missions were flown into Germany. He flew
101 missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 3
clusters, and the Soldier's Medal
|
|
Francis E. Lewis
|
He re-joined
the 36th for a second tour in jet fighters, the
F-84, and returned home after 35 more
missions and one MIG-15 probable late in
1951. Assigned to strategic nuclear fighters
in SAC, he flew F-84F's with the 12th Strat
Fighter Wing at Bergstrom AFB for six years,
marrying Merle Tooke, and fathering daughter, Kathy, before taking on an AFIT university program at the University of Texas.
|
|
Kenneth R. Lewis
|
Had Gunnery - P40
- on Matagorda Island and Combat Training - P47 - at Wendover, Utah. Was sent
overseas in October, 1944, on Liberty Ship
"Cornelius Gilliam" to Mediterranean Theater, assigned to 66th Fighter Squadron -
57th Fighter Group at Grossetto, Italy. He
completed 101 Missions as part of "Operation Strangle" - Dive Bombing, Strafing,
Close Support, Flak Diversion, Bomber
Escort and Weather Reconnaissance as part
of Northern Appenines and Po Valley Campaigns.
|
|
John Lightwine
|
He was assigned to
the 53rd Fighter Squadron, 36th Group and
after 10 months of simulated attack on bomber aircraft at Biggs Field, Texas and Ainsworth, Neb., the Group was sent to the ETO.
He flew 36 missions (ground support and
some escort) until being clobbered by a tank
on a strafing pass. Nine months were spent as
a POW in Stalag Luft I. He returned to the
U.S. and went into the Federal Aviation
Administration (then C.A.A.).
|
|
Rui Moreira Lima
|
On
October 7, I arrived in Tarquinia, Italy, with
the 1st Brazilian Fighter Squadron under the
operation control of 350th Fighter Group.
Started on combat missions in November 6
and flew 94 missions, destroying supply
routes, ammunition depots, bridges, railroads
and one Italian fighter Macchi 202 on the
ground. I made close support attacks on tanks
(destroyed 5). I was hit by a 20mm 9 times
and had one belly landing in Forli, A-20
Polish Base in Paco Valley with the Thunderbolt on fire.....
|
|
Thompson D. Litchfield
|
In March of 1942, he was assigned to
the 52nd Fighter Group in Charlotte, N.C.
and went to England with this group in May
of 1942. There was a tremendous shortage of
American combat planes at this time and the
pilots of the 52nd Flying Group trained with
the RAF and were equipped with Spitfires.
Litchfield flew combat missions out of
England from June through October of '42.
|
|
Erik Price Littlejohn
|
Entered service as a 2nd Lt. in the
U.S. Calvary and was assigned to Armored
Force School, Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Upon
completion of Armored Force Training was
assigned to 3rd Armored Division, California
at which time the Army became aware that he
held a commercial pilot's license and transferred him to the Army Air Corps where he
underwent military pilots' training in the
first class of Student Officers, graduating
from Randolph Field, Kelly Field and
received his wings at Aloe Field, Victoria,
Texas.
|
|
Barbara Erickson London
|
BARBARA (ERICKSON)
LONDON, born and raised in Seattle,
Washington, where she attended the University of Washington. While in College, she
took the first CPT program and then continued on to become an instructor in the program in 1941. While in the CPT program she
won the Western Region Shell Aviation
Scholarship and competed in the finals in
Washington D.C. in 1940.
|
|
Elton B. Long
|
Assigned to the 10th Service Group at
Baer Field, Fort Wayne, Indiana he was
promoted to a Chief Warrant Officer.
He entered Flying School as a CWO in the
early part of 1943 and graduated as a Second
Lieutenant at Spence Field, Georgia in the
Class of 43K in December 1943. After
fighter training in Florida and in England, he
joined the 508 Fighter Squadron, 404th
Fighter Group and flew his first combat
mission on June 7, 1944.
|
|
Robert P. Longley
|
Longley returned his aircraft to base after it had
been severely damaged in aerial combat with
3 - FW-190's. During the encounter, the
P-47 was carrying a Hung-500 lb. bomb on
the left wing. Oil leaking from the damaged
engine completely covered the canopy and
most of the fuselage. Since Longley could
still maneuver the aircraft, he was vectored
home while flying on the gages. But, three
problems still remained.......
|
|
| |
Visit our other WWII Pilot Websites
P51Pilots.com
P51 Mustang Pilots Website
This page has been visited 3122585 times.
© Copyright 2000-2006 William Frederico, Logic Mountain, and its licensors. All Rights Reserved.
Unless specifically noted, all content, photos, stories, designs, and all other material on this website are copyright
William Frederico, Logic Mountain, and its licensors. You may not copy, reproduce, disseminate, create derivative works, or distribute
any of the material on this website without the express written consent of William Frederico and Logic Mountain.
DO NOT assume that any material on this website is in the public domain - most content from outside
sources was contributed by special permission of the authors. Contact us for licensing and permission information
regarding the copying or reproduction of ANYTHING on this website!
No anti-dusting agents were used in the creation of this website.
|
|